What an exciting election night! Last night, the country witnessed a firestorm of protest against the Obama’s administration’s policies, specifically with regard to the health reform law, as well as his failure to adequately confront our economic troubles. As a result, the Republican party swept a majority of house races to take control of the U.S. House of Representatives by a margin of 239-185 as of this morning. The U.S. Senate will stay in Democratic control for the time being, as the Democrats currently hold a 49-46 edge over Republicans, with an additional two Independents who caucus with and lean Democrat. In terms of governor races, the Republican party has so far won 28 of 50 seats, with the Democrats winning 15. Six governorships have yet to be decided, and one is led by an Independent.
So what does this all mean for Catholic voters? Well, it would appear that a good number of the winners from last evening are stronger pro-life, pro-traditional marriage, anti-embryonic stem cell research than the previous set of elected officials. The potential new speaker of the House, John Boehner, is a Roman Catholic.
Here is a look at some important ballot items and votes across the nation:
California pot vote- The people of California have voted against Proposition 19, which would have legalized the recreational use of marijuana.
Definition of human life- The people of Colorado have rejected the Fetal Personhood Ammendment 62 which would have defined a “person” to be every human beginning at conception.
Gay marriage- The people of Iowa have voted against three state Supreme Court justices who decided in 2009 that homosexual couples could marry.
Tags: News and Media, Politics
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My neighbors in District 5 of Virginia did us a favor by booting Catholyks United for the Common Good founder Tom Perriello.
Oops. My bad. That should read, “Catholyks in Alliance for the Common Good.” Judean People’s Front, People’s Front of Judea. Whatever.
I am very happy with the election results!
I hope this Momentum holds for 2012 and Republicans take back the Whitehouse.
Next election we will do what we did this time. Replace the existing thugs with a new set of them. Maybe the Demopublicans and the Republicrats can help with more wonderful pre election bantering. I can’t wait!
Dr. K, can you comment on where our biggest losses were? Harry Reid? Barbara Boxer? Were the republicans upset in any areas?
What is everyone’s thoughts on who they’d like to see run in 2012? I like Chris Christie cause he’s got a cool name and tells it like it is, but he’ll never run.
Apropos legalization of pot: prohibition didn’t work with alcohol in the 20’s and prohibition of pot has not worked over the last 80 years. It has funded organized crime, undermined the rule of law, created its own little cottage industry in the Corrections world, etc., etc. Bill Buckley was right. It needs to be legalized, regulated and taxed.
Dr. K., you and I will probably seldom agree on political and religious issues. But yesterday you allowed one of my comments to be displayed on another subject even though you probably disagreed with it completely. I do respect your (dare I say the word) liberality in allowing opinions to be published. (By the way, the only reason I submitted the question twice was because I backed out of the comment section and was not sure the question was sent). People can disagree and still retain respect for each other. As Gandi once stated, we all own a piece of the truth. Thanks.
@Pat – it’s good to have you here. Keep up the comments. Otherwise we turn into an echo chamber.
As long as it’s not Sarah Palin. The republicans cannot afford to have a weak candidate like in 2008 in John McCain.
Hi JimR,
I haven’t given too much thought to the whole pot issue, but I just find it interesting that the people of CA end up voting “conservatively” on social issues (e.g. legalization of marijuana, prop 8), but then go and vote for Jerry Brown and Barbara Boxer again.
Pat,
It’s been a pleasure having you in the comboxes.
Christopher,
I am very interested to see what happens with Chris Christie. So far, I really like what he has to say and how he says it. I think Marco Rubio is full of potential, but we’ll have to see how he does in the Senate. I like that he started his victory speech by acknowledging our great and powerful God who cares about each and everyone of us!
Hi Nerina
Politics is often strange. I’m not from CA and can’t imagine voting for Jerry, but I found his opponent disturbing, too. In the South we have a saying: “Between the Baptists and the bootleggers we’ll never have reasonable laws on alcohol.”
In any event, where we have had Presidents, Supreme Court Justices, Senators, Congressmen, prosecutors, judges, police, state and local officials, businessmen, priests, sinners and saints all having toked up – and in a very large percentages as anyone who remembers the 70s knows. Legalization is the only reasonable response. Bill Buckley for years preached legalize, regulate and tax recreational drugs because banning them didn’t work and had perverse effects. It’s a crying shame that the USA has a prison population – largely because of recreational drug use – that is similar to the old Soviet Union. Think of what that incarceration does to families, jobs, prospect – yet so many used and use it – but got away with it without effect! It’s really disturbing. The demagogues have got to be put in their place on this one – the costs are too high.
BTW I’m also opposed to any minimum legal drinking age – it’s an abuse of the police power and all it does is teach our kids about our own hypocrisy – and to lie if caught. I have personal knowledge of schemes in college towns by the powers that be – prosecutors, police, attorneys – to shake down kids. In all it’s just a misuse and perversion of the police power – IMHO.